■320 INSECTS OF THE CAIRNS DISTRICT, NORTHERN QUEENSLAND, 



77. MORDELLA STJBVITTATA. 



Elongate-ovate, chocolate brown, subnitid, Thorax as long as 

 broad ; elytra with a broad not well-defined oblique vitta of 

 whitish pubescence extending from each humeral angle to the apex 

 where they meet. The pygidium is long and very slight and acute. 



Length, IJ lines. 



Rah. — Russell River. 



78. MORDELLA ELONQATULA. 



Elongate, black, opaque. Head covered with a golden pubes- 

 cence, excepting a broad space on the top of the head. Thorax 

 broader than the elytra and of a bright golden pubescence excepting 

 a broad median vitta, almost interrupted in front of the middle. 

 Elytra with a large rounded triangular patch occupying the 

 middle of the base, excepting a spot on each side of the suture, 

 and a spot behind common to both elytra, a broad golden fascia 

 behind the middle and the apical portion golden. The under surface 

 golden pubescent, and the pygidium long and acute j the anterior 

 legs red. 



Length, .5 lines. 



Hab. — Mossman River. 



I believe there are other species of Mordella in the Cairns 

 Collection. The number of species throughout all Australia, and 

 particularly from the north, is wonderful. I have not been able to 

 study the group sufliciently to qualify me to pronounce with any 

 ■certainty between what are species and what are not, and therefore 

 I have, in giving names in my Cabinet to those of the group 

 received from the Cairns District, carefully avoided describing 

 any specimens which I had not satisfied myself were distinct 

 and undescribed. The whole Family however, wants revision, 

 but, as it is a Family numerously represented in other parts of 

 the world besides Australia, I am veiy much indisposed for a 

 task requiring such extended research. 



